Observatory for Sociopolitical Developments in Europe
The Observatory for Sociopolitical Developments in Europe is a project of the Institute for Social Work and Social Pedagogy e. V. (ISS-Frankfurt a. M.).
The project analyzes sociopolitical trends in the member states of the European Union as well as at the European level and examines their effects on Germany. The observatory is funded by the Federal Ministry for Family, Seniors, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ). The observatory's five-person team is international and interdisciplinary.
goals and tasks
The project sees itself as a mediator between the national and the European level and organizes the professional exchange between important socio-political actors. The observatory prepares scientific, mostly cross-country analyzes as well as expert reports and provides advice to the BMFSFJ. In addition, the observatory organizes and designs workshops, specialist lectures and international events. Through its comparative European analyzes and the international specialist events, the observatory promotes mutual learning in a European context. With the observation and processing of relevant socio-political developments, the observatory pursues the goal of promoting the exchange of knowledge and experience between the member states. In addition to expanding national and international networks, the project has set itself the task of sensitizing the German specialist public to the European dimension of social and socio-political issues.
Main topics
The main themes of the Observatory include:
- Senior policy and care
- Social innovation
- Equality policy
- Social Services in Europe
- Family and compatibility
- Civic engagement.
Publications
The work results of the observatory are published in the form of working papers and brief expert reports. In addition, two thematic newsletters appear each year. All publications are available on the Observatory's homepage.
- Newsletter - The Observatory's newsletter provides suggestions for discussion on current developments at European level and provides information on the work results of the Observatory. The newsletter appears twice a year in German and in English.
- Working Papers - The Observatory issues working papers at irregular intervals, each dealing in depth with a topic from the priority areas.
- Brief expert reports - The Observatory publishes brief expert reports at irregular intervals, in which background information on the main topics is summarized briefly and concisely.